1. Wood was one of the most wanted items that could be sold/traded in Ancient Rome. Wood would be used for EVERYTHING! From silver mining to firewood.
2. One of the most uses for wood which caused deforestation was that wood was used for building. And to build you need to have wood, and you get the wood by cutting down trees.
3. Rome also needed wood for fires since fossil fuels didn't provide much heat. Most of the heating in Rome was by wood. One thing that the heat was used for baths in the bath houses. A small bath used 228,000 of wood per YEAR!
4. Rome’s deforestation problem wasn't from cutting too many trees down, farming, or for warmth, but it was because of the smelting of iron problem.
5. Deforestation actually caused some of the cause for disease and malarial diseases. The evidence for the problem isn’t just linked to the Amazon or Africa, but studies say that because trees are cut down diseases start to arrive
6. Wood was used for industrial purposes. For example: Rome used wood for firing bricks so that they could build aqueducts, glass windows, for smelting iron and silver, and kilns for making concrete
7. Effects of the Deforestation:
- Soil Depletion
- Marshlands increased (the number of them)
- Abandonment and flight of industry
8. Since farming was the base of the Roman Empire life was basically surrounded by farming. In order to farm, the Romans had to clear the land (chop down trees) in order to do this. One thing that did not help was that 90% of Rome were farmers that means that 90% of the farmers had to clear land in order to farm.
PROBLEMS WITH DEFORESTATION 2013:
Unfortunately, in today's world we have the problem of deforestation. Deforestation occurs as we are speaking right now. Trees are being used for our special needs. Like for firewood, paper, or for building the houses that we live in!
1.
In the rain forest there is a lot of deforestation that happens. In fact, it doesn't just hurt the animals and habitats of the rain forest, but it also hurts the Earth. For example, most people think that global warming is from burning gas or oil. But really it is deforestation. About 25-30% of greenhouse gases are sent into the atmosphere because of us cutting down trees.
2.
The biggest impact of our deforestation problem is that animal species are lost, along with their homes. 70% of land animals and plants live in forests. Taking down the forests would leave them without a place to live, and really their natural protection.
3.
Deforestation causes the change in climate. Trees block the sun and keep forest's soil moist. Without the trees in the forest the land could become dry like a desert. When trees are cut down you remove the canopy that blocks the sun's rays and holds in heat at night time, causing temperatures to swing up down which could be harmful to the organisms that live there.
4.
Tress help continue the water cycle. They send water vapor back into the atmosphere.
5.
Deforestation affects the Earth's environment. Deforestation causes soil erosion, poor water quality, small food security, and makes protection from floods worse. The World Resources Institute states. Because of these affects it can cause mass migration to different cities.
6.
Soil erosion occurs when there is nothing to hold the soil in place. When trees are cut down, there is nothing to hold the soil therefore when it rains soil erosion occurs.
7.
There are nutrients in the trees. When you cut down trees, you lose the nutrients that are held in the tree.
8.
Almost half of the world's plants, micro-organisms, and animals will be destroyed due to deforestation in the amazon in the next century.
Hello, my name is Emily Lewis, and my partner Tiffany Russell and I are seventh grade students from Nagel Middle School in Cincinnati Ohio, who are doing a project on the topic of deforestation. We understand that you are an expert on this topic. We would like to ask you a few questions. 1. Since the trees of the rain forest are being cut down rapidly, what types of deforestation laws or regulations are in place or are being put in place to stop this process? 2. If America demands products that come from trees, are there any alternative materials that could take the place of the wood to create similar products? 3. Has anyone thought ahead to future of that if trees are no longer able to produce the products that are needed daily for people's lives, what kinds of precautions will need to take place in order for the trees not to become rare or disappear all together? Thanks so much for your time, Sincerely, Emily Lewis and Tiffany Russell
reply:
Dear Emily and Tiffany,
Thanks for your contact. I don't know whether I qualify as an expert. The good people at PERC (perc.org) are more expert than I am. However, I have do some experience in studying these matters and can help answer your questions as best I can.
Please see my answers below in < >.
=
Mr. Borders,
Hello, my name is Emily Lewis, and my partner Tiffany Russell and I are seventh grade students from Nagel Middle School in Cincinnati Ohio, who are doing a project on the topic of deforestation. We understand that you are an expert on this topic. We would like to ask you a few questions.
1. Since the trees of the rain forest are being cut down rapidly, what types of deforestation laws or regulations are in place or are being put in place to stop this process?
=
<Very good question. It depends on which rainforest you're referring to, because different countries have different rules about forests. Some countries attempt to regulate forests by enforcing bans. Other countries use private property rights to protect forest resources. I like the latter approach because private property owners have fewer incentives to destroy or clear cut valuable forest resources and greater incentives to preserve and protect in order to make money, or to conserve the forest's beauty (as they case may be).
Where property is un-owned or owned by 'everyone' you get a "Tragedy of the Commons" (Look this up!!! It's the most important thing you'll probably ever learn about environmental protection.) In such a tragedy, what happens is there is a race to take a resource before the next person does. With private property, there is no such race, because only the owner can use the property. Think of it like this: if you had a pizza party at your school, how would the pizza get eaten more quickly? If it's "everyone for herself/himself"? Or "each student gets two pieces of pizza to eat or save as she sees fit"? In one of those cases, the pizza will be gone in minutes!
On the other hand, when governments attempt to enforce bans, you get "black markets" (another good one to look up). In black markets, people engage in risky behavior in order to break the law. They break the law because the profits are higher due to the ban! It sounds crazy, but that's often what happens. (This unfortunately happens with endangered species, too).
It's not that making a profit is a bad thing at all. It's usually a sign that people are producing the things others want and need and not wasting resources. Profit isn't the problem in the case of black markets, it's rather the behavior that happens after the ban is set. This is a tough thing to grasp. But you know that when something is scarce and people want it anyway, the price goes up, right? Well, that's not going to change under a ban--it's going to get worse. The ban simple restricts the supply of what people want, making it more expensive and therefore more enticing for black marketers. So what do you do instead? (Hint: change the rule.)>
=
2. If America demands products that come from trees, are there any alternative materials that could take the place of the wood to create similar products?
=
<Much of this question depends on the price of wood. Remember, in North America (unlike much of South America) forestland is privately owned. That means people and companies decide what to do with their trees. Companies that sell wood products have a very strong incentive to plant more trees, especially because they want to keep their companies doing well next year and the next and 10 years from now! That's why there is more forestland today in the US than there has been in over 100 years! (And it keeps getting better.) If the forestry companies don't behave this way, either their competitors will grow more trees and beat them on price, or the price of wood will go up and people will start substitute products from other materials that are of equal quality but LOWER price.
I hope you guys learn more about the 'price system' as you do your research, because it's one of the most important aspects of forestland stewardship and ensuring forest egrowth into the future.>
=
3. Has anyone thought ahead to future of that if trees are no longer able to produce the products that are needed daily for people's lives, what kinds of precautions will need to take place in order for the trees not to become rare or disappear all together?
=
<As I suggest above, more or less the only rule you need is for the preservation of trees is private property rights. For very special and beautiful forest areas it may also help to institute what are known as "conservation easements." These easements allow owners to preserve land for conservation into the future (even after they die).
Otherwise, consider this picture on the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. On one side there are no private property rights and on the other side there are private property rights.
Inline image 1
Which side do you think has private property and why?>
<One more thing: In the movie The Lorax, what rule or "right" would have kept the Onceler from cutting down all the trees?>
Deforestation:
Problems in Ancient Rome
1. Wood was one of the most wanted items that could be sold/traded in Ancient Rome. Wood would be used for EVERYTHING! From silver mining to firewood.
2. One of the most uses for wood which caused deforestation was that wood was used for building. And to build you need to have wood, and you get the wood by cutting down trees.
3. Rome also needed wood for fires since fossil fuels didn't provide much heat. Most of the heating in Rome was by wood. One thing that the heat was used for baths in the bath houses. A small bath used 228,000 of wood per YEAR!
4. Rome’s deforestation problem wasn't from cutting too many trees down, farming, or for warmth, but it was because of the smelting of iron problem.
5. Deforestation actually caused some of the cause for disease and malarial diseases. The evidence for the problem isn’t just linked to the Amazon or Africa, but studies say that because trees are cut down diseases start to arrive
6. Wood was used for industrial purposes. For example: Rome used wood for firing bricks so that they could build aqueducts, glass windows, for smelting iron and silver, and kilns for making concrete
7. Effects of the Deforestation:
- Soil Depletion
- Marshlands increased (the number of them)
- Abandonment and flight of industry
8. Since farming was the base of the Roman Empire life was basically surrounded by farming. In order to farm, the Romans had to clear the land (chop down trees) in order to do this. One thing that did not help was that 90% of Rome were farmers that means that 90% of the farmers had to clear land in order to farm.
PROBLEMS WITH DEFORESTATION 2013:
Unfortunately, in today's world we have the problem of deforestation. Deforestation occurs as we are speaking right now. Trees are being used for our special needs. Like for firewood, paper, or for building the houses that we live in!
1.
In the rain forest there is a lot of deforestation that happens. In fact, it doesn't just hurt the animals and habitats of the rain forest, but it also hurts the Earth. For example, most people think that global warming is from burning gas or oil. But really it is deforestation. About 25-30% of greenhouse gases are sent into the atmosphere because of us cutting down trees.
2.
The biggest impact of our deforestation problem is that animal species are lost, along with their homes. 70% of land animals and plants live in forests. Taking down the forests would leave them without a place to live, and really their natural protection.
3.
Deforestation causes the change in climate. Trees block the sun and keep forest's soil moist. Without the trees in the forest the land could become dry like a desert. When trees are cut down you remove the canopy that blocks the sun's rays and holds in heat at night time, causing temperatures to swing up down which could be harmful to the organisms that live there.
4.
Tress help continue the water cycle. They send water vapor back into the atmosphere.
5.
Deforestation affects the Earth's environment. Deforestation causes soil erosion, poor water quality, small food security, and makes protection from floods worse. The World Resources Institute states. Because of these affects it can cause mass migration to different cities.
6.
Soil erosion occurs when there is nothing to hold the soil in place. When trees are cut down, there is nothing to hold the soil therefore when it rains soil erosion occurs.
7.
There are nutrients in the trees. When you cut down trees, you lose the nutrients that are held in the tree.
8.
Almost half of the world's plants, micro-organisms, and animals will be destroyed due to deforestation in the amazon in the next century.
Works Cited
Smith, Elizabeth. "Green Living." Nationalgeographic.com. N.p., n.d. Web.
Works Cited
"The Role of Deforestation and the Fall of Rome." N.p., 23 Mar. 2004. Web.
Works Cited
"The Role of Deforestation and the Fall of Rome." N.p., 23 Mar. 2004. Web.
CONTACTED:
Max Borders
email:
info@fee.org
Mr. Borders,
Hello, my name is Emily Lewis, and my partner Tiffany Russell and I are seventh grade students from Nagel Middle School in Cincinnati Ohio, who are doing a project on the topic of deforestation. We understand that you are an expert on this topic. We would like to ask you a few questions. 1. Since the trees of the rain forest are being cut down rapidly, what types of deforestation laws or regulations are in place or are being put in place to stop this process? 2. If America demands products that come from trees, are there any alternative materials that could take the place of the wood to create similar products? 3. Has anyone thought ahead to future of that if trees are no longer able to produce the products that are needed daily for people's lives, what kinds of precautions will need to take place in order for the trees not to become rare or disappear all together? Thanks so much for your time, Sincerely, Emily Lewis and Tiffany Russell
reply:
Dear Emily and Tiffany,
Thanks for your contact. I don't know whether I qualify as an expert. The good people at PERC (perc.org) are more expert than I am. However, I have do some experience in studying these matters and can help answer your questions as best I can.
Please see my answers below in < >.
=
Hello, my name is Emily Lewis, and my partner Tiffany Russell and I are seventh grade students from Nagel Middle School in Cincinnati Ohio, who are doing a project on the topic of deforestation. We understand that you are an expert on this topic. We would like to ask you a few questions.
1. Since the trees of the rain forest are being cut down rapidly, what types of deforestation laws or regulations are in place or are being put in place to stop this process?
=
<Very good question. It depends on which rainforest you're referring to, because different countries have different rules about forests. Some countries attempt to regulate forests by enforcing bans. Other countries use private property rights to protect forest resources. I like the latter approach because private property owners have fewer incentives to destroy or clear cut valuable forest resources and greater incentives to preserve and protect in order to make money, or to conserve the forest's beauty (as they case may be).
Where property is un-owned or owned by 'everyone' you get a "Tragedy of the Commons" (Look this up!!! It's the most important thing you'll probably ever learn about environmental protection.) In such a tragedy, what happens is there is a race to take a resource before the next person does. With private property, there is no such race, because only the owner can use the property. Think of it like this: if you had a pizza party at your school, how would the pizza get eaten more quickly? If it's "everyone for herself/himself"? Or "each student gets two pieces of pizza to eat or save as she sees fit"? In one of those cases, the pizza will be gone in minutes!
On the other hand, when governments attempt to enforce bans, you get "black markets" (another good one to look up). In black markets, people engage in risky behavior in order to break the law. They break the law because the profits are higher due to the ban! It sounds crazy, but that's often what happens. (This unfortunately happens with endangered species, too).
It's not that making a profit is a bad thing at all. It's usually a sign that people are producing the things others want and need and not wasting resources. Profit isn't the problem in the case of black markets, it's rather the behavior that happens after the ban is set. This is a tough thing to grasp. But you know that when something is scarce and people want it anyway, the price goes up, right? Well, that's not going to change under a ban--it's going to get worse. The ban simple restricts the supply of what people want, making it more expensive and therefore more enticing for black marketers. So what do you do instead? (Hint: change the rule.)>
=
=
<Much of this question depends on the price of wood. Remember, in North America (unlike much of South America) forestland is privately owned. That means people and companies decide what to do with their trees. Companies that sell wood products have a very strong incentive to plant more trees, especially because they want to keep their companies doing well next year and the next and 10 years from now! That's why there is more forestland today in the US than there has been in over 100 years! (And it keeps getting better.) If the forestry companies don't behave this way, either their competitors will grow more trees and beat them on price, or the price of wood will go up and people will start substitute products from other materials that are of equal quality but LOWER price.
I hope you guys learn more about the 'price system' as you do your research, because it's one of the most important aspects of forestland stewardship and ensuring forest egrowth into the future.>
=
=
<As I suggest above, more or less the only rule you need is for the preservation of trees is private property rights. For very special and beautiful forest areas it may also help to institute what are known as "conservation easements." These easements allow owners to preserve land for conservation into the future (even after they die).
Otherwise, consider this picture on the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. On one side there are no private property rights and on the other side there are private property rights.
Which side do you think has private property and why?>
<One more thing: In the movie The Lorax, what rule or "right" would have kept the Onceler from cutting down all the trees?>
=
=
<You are most welcome, Emily and Tiffany.>
Our Prezi:
Deforestation Prezi